I am playing with using cork tape, however, I could use some advise as to fixing it to the blank correctly.

Get a piece of masking tape marked with the blank circumference, lay this tape diagonally across the end of the cork tape so the marks align with the edges of the tape. Make the diagonal cut. Start peeling the tape backing off and butt this new fresh cut edge against the reel seat and began to spiral the tape on. After 1-2 inches wet your fingers that you're using to wrap the tape on with alcohol - this wets slightly the tape adhesive as you hold the tape and prevents it from immediately sticking to the blank, and allows you to shift its position around some for alignment. Stop using thr alcohol at the very end so it holds tightly at the end of the wrap.

The alcohol is very effective for this. You don't want to use the alcohol at the start because you need the tape to hold as you begin and end the wrap. Have a couple of pieces of masking tape pulled and handy to use to bind down the edges should thye began to lift on you.

Using the masking tape to transfer the blank circumference ensures that you're tape wraps will always be laid out at a 45 degree angle of wrap.

Some builders like to use epoxy as the lube, but its messy and takes awhile for it to cure. With the alcohol you have a cure period, no mess, and its cheap.

Lou

Mate, thanks very much for your input I have completed a surf rod for some one and the cork tape has come up a treat, making it a very practicle material for beach and rock rods. I will post photos of the finished rod shortly.


Larry